Tag Archives: Lifter of the Month

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, APRIL 2026, KIM VAN WAGNER

April featured the USAWA Grip Championship, Bench Press Heptathlon, Diamond Jubilee and Diaper Day.  While the Diamond Jubilee and Diaper Day results are pending there were some outstanding performances in the published results.

Kim Van Wagner earned lifter of the month by being the top female in the 1st Quarter Postal and the top female (and overall) winner of the USAWA Grip Championship.  Kim currently holds 139 records and is threatening to break into the top 10 women’s record holders.  Kim has results going back to the 2022 1st Quarter Postal but has only been able to set records since the Bench Press Heptathlon in 2024.

Kim joined the USAWA under the Clark’s Gym banner but has joined High Country Vigour, with Bill Clark’s blessing.  She always shows outstanding sportsmanship and personal integrity.  At the 2026 USAWA Grip Championship, the official gave a down command on the vertical bar lift and Kim simply responded that it was a no-lift as her left knee was not locked out.

Congratulations Kim!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as lifter of the month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at usawasec@gmail.com

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, MARCH 2026, RILEY WENZEL

March featured Tony & Allison’s 60th Birthday Party.  Riley Wenzel earned lifter of the month with an incredible 1314-pound total across a broad mix of lifts.  The 1367 Lynch Points was good enough for the overall top men’s performance.  His 170-pound Anderson Press was also good for the ALL-age class 75kg record.  He also holds the ALL-age class record at 70kg.

Riley has been competing for just over a year and holds 67 records in the 60, 65, 70 and 75 kg weight classes.

Congratulations Riley!

Apologies from the editor for the late posting.

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, FEBRUARY 2026, ISAAC BANKENS

February featured the 2026 Bayou Beast Bash and the Ground to Overhead Challenge.  Results from the USAWA Club Championships are still pending.  Isaac Bankens earned lifter of the month with his amazing 397-pound total at the Bayou Beast Bash which was good enough to win the Junior Men category and was in the mix in the overall standings.

Following the competition, Isaac went on to perform a 361-pound Dinnie Lift and 300-pound Kennedy lift.

Isaac also competes in grip sport and shows a level of sportsmanship and poise that makes you forget he is only 12 years old.

Congratulations Isaac!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as lifter of the month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at usawasec@gmail.com

Lifter of the Month, January 2026, Stacy Todd

January was a slow month, and the results of the Ed Zercher Memorial Strength Classic have yet to be published. However, Stacy Todd earned Lifter of the Month for January with her top finish in the 2025 Postal Series. Her fourth quarter performance was good for not only the highest female total but also records in all three lifts.

Stacy has been competing in USAWA since 2021 with participation primarily in the postal events. She placed 4th in the 2024 National Championship and won the 2024 Grip Championship. Finally she is a member of the Century Club.

This is the first time Stacy is being recognized as lifter of the month.

Congratulations Stacy!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as lifter of the month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at usawasec@gmail.com

Lifter of the Month Program

The lifter of the month program was established by Al Myers in April 2012 and Chad Ullom was the first recipient.  Al wrote that “…every month I see great performances in the USAWA and I would like to have some way of honoring these performances by our membership.  The selection of this award will be based on my judgement alone, and will take in factors such as outstanding performances, great lifts, participation, records set, and meets won.  I sure don’t mind if someone makes recommendations to me either for someone they think should be the recipient of it for the month.”

The program has ebbed and flowed and was taken over by the Secretary/Treasurer and then the Secretary.

I have tried to maintain the original intent when I was nominating athletes to the USAWA secretary and selecting athletes as acting USAWA secretary.  Without fail, an athlete finds a way to stand apart.  Sometimes it is a Junior, sometimes a Master, sometimes pushing the bounds of a lift, sometimes by participating in a record session after a twelve-lift meet.  Sometimes participation is traveling to compete live, sometimes participation is competing in a full series of meets.

  • Outstanding Performances – Meet, series, IAWA events, etc.
  • Great Lifts – During competition or Record Session
  • Participation – Some athletes are competing 3 times in a month, locally and traveling
  • Records Set – Age/Weight Class, ALL Ages, and highest ever
  • Meets Won – With priority given to USAWA and IAWA championships

Leadership, Sportsmanship, Courage, Newcomer status is not directly considered, but I have found that recognized athletes often shine not only as athletes, but also as people.

Since 2012, 67 athletes have been honored as Lifter of the Month

13 women – Repeat winners included

  1. RJ Jackson (6)
  2. Beth Skwarecki (4)

54 men – Top 11 as follows, 7 are Hall of Famers

  1. Chad Ullom (7) – HOF
  2. Denny Habecker (6) – HOF
  3. Al Myers (5) – HOF
  4. Eric Todd (5) – HOF
  5. Dan Wagman (4)
  6. Randy Smith (4) – HOF
  7. James Fuller (3)
  8. Barry Bryan (3)
  9. Art Montini (3) – HOF
  10. Dave Glasgow (3)
  11. Frank Ciavattone (3) – HOF

See all of the past Lifters of the Month

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